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Dan Sharp Mystery #4
After the Horses
Dan Sharp scours Toronto s seamy underbelly after the murder of a notorious nightspot owner, and finds his own life on the line.
When Yuri Malevski, owner of notorious country-and-western bar The Saddle and Bridle, is found dead in his Parkdale mansion, missing-persons investigator Dan Sharp is reluctant to interfere in what he sees as police business. At first, Malevski s sleazy lifestyle and shady associates make the murder look like an open-and-shut case, but Dan reconsiders after being approached by a couple who say Malevski was killed by cops over protection money.
When vulnerable people who had frequented the dead man's bar begin to disappear, Dan feels compelled to jump in feet first. Following a lead, his investigation takes him into the heart of Toronto s gay community, where he confronts its down-and-outs transients, drug dealers, and con artists and soon finds his own life threatened as his search brings him closer to a killer."
When Yuri Malevski, owner of notorious country-and-western bar The Saddle and Bridle, is found dead in his Parkdale mansion, missing-persons investigator Dan Sharp is reluctant to interfere in what he sees as police business. At first, Malevski s sleazy lifestyle and shady associates make the murder look like an open-and-shut case, but Dan reconsiders after being approached by a couple who say Malevski was killed by cops over protection money.
When vulnerable people who had frequented the dead man's bar begin to disappear, Dan feels compelled to jump in feet first. Following a lead, his investigation takes him into the heart of Toronto s gay community, where he confronts its down-and-outs transients, drug dealers, and con artists and soon finds his own life threatened as his search brings him closer to a killer."
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
9 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Round
26 books100 followersJeffrey Round is best known as the Lambda Award-winning author of two mystery series, the gritty DAN SHARP books, and the comic BRADFORD FAIRFAX books. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, television producer and song-writer.
SHADOW PUPPET, sixth in the Dan Sharp series, was published in 2019. Margaret Cannon of the Globe and Mail said, "...this is as good a whodunit as we will see this year." (26/4/19)
BON TON ROULET, fourth in the Bradford Fairfax mystery series, was published in 2017. In 2018, Jeffrey was invited by the William Faulkner Society to read from this book, along with mayor Mitch Landrieu and others, at the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Orleans.
His first novel, A CAGE OF BONES, was published by GMP (UK), topping bestseller lists around the world. The P-TOWN MURDERS, first in the Bradford Fairfax series, was published by the Haworth Press (US). Both titles were listed on AfterElton’s 50 Greatest Gay Books in 2008.
Jeffrey's ENDGAME was called a "brilliant recreation" of Agatha Christie's best-selling mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, giving the original what one critic called a "punk-rock reboot." It was a best-selling e-book in the US in 2016.
SHADOW PUPPET, sixth in the Dan Sharp series, was published in 2019. Margaret Cannon of the Globe and Mail said, "...this is as good a whodunit as we will see this year." (26/4/19)
BON TON ROULET, fourth in the Bradford Fairfax mystery series, was published in 2017. In 2018, Jeffrey was invited by the William Faulkner Society to read from this book, along with mayor Mitch Landrieu and others, at the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Orleans.
His first novel, A CAGE OF BONES, was published by GMP (UK), topping bestseller lists around the world. The P-TOWN MURDERS, first in the Bradford Fairfax series, was published by the Haworth Press (US). Both titles were listed on AfterElton’s 50 Greatest Gay Books in 2008.
Jeffrey's ENDGAME was called a "brilliant recreation" of Agatha Christie's best-selling mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, giving the original what one critic called a "punk-rock reboot." It was a best-selling e-book in the US in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 27, 2015
It's always more complicated when friends ask for favors.
Everyone is happy with their hand out, but when one of Toronto's entrepreneurs and larger than life gay personas is murdered, he's suddenly persona non grata. After all, he didn't earn money the pretty way. Dan Sharpe, PI is called in by a business associate to solve the case that has numerous tangles.
There's questionable dealings, hangers-on, and people who just hate Yuri for who he was and what he represented. All of this accounts for a colorful ensemble of characters brought together as Dan hunts down Yuri's killer. And some people are not happy.
We get another chapter in Dan's life as the mystery is being solved. Ups and downs, but he's moving forward. But, there is this weight, metaphorical chains the Dan drags around with him. As if all that he's learned and seen over the years, he carries like a penance: an underlying brooding, an atmosphere of cynicism that crushes down, his own albatross. In many ways it bleeds in from his work: an unrelenting sadness, filled with the lost and struggling looking to survive. Alone even in a crowd.
The actual mystery and misdirection employed is quite good. Entertaining and causing more questions than answers until the end, which is a great big swoop and reveal. So, big thumbs up there.
Overall, a pensive read with a dose of fatalism.
Favorite quote:
~A copy was provided by Netgalley and a review submitted~
Everyone is happy with their hand out, but when one of Toronto's entrepreneurs and larger than life gay personas is murdered, he's suddenly persona non grata. After all, he didn't earn money the pretty way. Dan Sharpe, PI is called in by a business associate to solve the case that has numerous tangles.
There's questionable dealings, hangers-on, and people who just hate Yuri for who he was and what he represented. All of this accounts for a colorful ensemble of characters brought together as Dan hunts down Yuri's killer. And some people are not happy.
We get another chapter in Dan's life as the mystery is being solved. Ups and downs, but he's moving forward. But, there is this weight, metaphorical chains the Dan drags around with him. As if all that he's learned and seen over the years, he carries like a penance: an underlying brooding, an atmosphere of cynicism that crushes down, his own albatross. In many ways it bleeds in from his work: an unrelenting sadness, filled with the lost and struggling looking to survive. Alone even in a crowd.
The actual mystery and misdirection employed is quite good. Entertaining and causing more questions than answers until the end, which is a great big swoop and reveal. So, big thumbs up there.
Overall, a pensive read with a dose of fatalism.
Favorite quote:
First impressions were better edited with time.
~A copy was provided by Netgalley and a review submitted~
September 30, 2015
My first Dan Sharp Mystery, and I'm pretty much angry with myself for not picking up the series much earlier! Even if the book 4 could easily be read as a stand alone, I prefer to read my Mystery series in the right order, and not backwards. I'm going to read the series completely anyway, because I really like Dan Sharp, a missing persons investigator, and want to know more about this character, from the very beginning. Besides, I enormously enjoyed the writing of Jeffrey Round, and want read more of his works.
An intriguing storyline, an interesting Canadian touch(Toronto setting is very authentic), atmospheric mystery delightfully mixed with Dan’s personal life, strong portraying of characters, and guessing WHO DID IT up to the end make After the Horses: A Dan Sharp Mystery to a very entertaining read.
I had no idea though how Dan came to his conclusions and managed to solve the case. When he explained it LATER, around 97%, I got his logic, but I would have never guessed it myself. There was a lot of theory in it. Well, maybe it is why I'm not suitable for the job as a private eye.
**Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
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June 25, 2015Copy provided by NetGalley
When Yuri Malevski, owner of raunchy gay bar The Saddle and Bridle is found dead in his Toronto mansion, missing-persons investigator Dan Sharp is pulled into investigating through a married couple, an accountant and lawyer. AT first Dan is reluctant to interfere in a matter for police business, until the accountant, Lionel, admits that part of his job as Yuri's money manager was handing payoffs to corrupt cops.
What looked like Malevski's sleazy lifestyle got him killed now points toward murder by cops in a fight over protection money. Dan takes the case, and begins investigating, which takes the reader into the gay community, which includes the hopeless and helpless and the people marginalized by the over culture and by their own problems. Woven through is a painfully grim subthread about a friend of Dan's who is dying of cancer, and hopes to find out where her missing son is.
At first the two threads seem unconnected, and for the most part they are, though I appreciated the way Round dovetailed them when the mystery began to rapidly unravel toward a surprising conclusion.
The book is not utterly grimdark, or I would not have made it through in spite of the vivid, stylish prose and the insightful examination of how anger and violence destroy individuals as well as families. Dan has good friends, and he appreciates them. He has a teenage son who cares about his dad--and Dan, in turn, likes both his son and the son's girlfriend. There are enough human moments to make this book a complicated minor key symphony rather than, oh, death metal hammering one with hopelessness.
I have not read any of the earlier works in the series, but it was easy to pick up. Round does a superlative job of orienting the reader in Dan's life, and further, demonstrates significant growth. This is no Hercule Poirot, who never changes. I'm planning to keep an eye out for the next in the series.
When Yuri Malevski, owner of raunchy gay bar The Saddle and Bridle is found dead in his Toronto mansion, missing-persons investigator Dan Sharp is pulled into investigating through a married couple, an accountant and lawyer. AT first Dan is reluctant to interfere in a matter for police business, until the accountant, Lionel, admits that part of his job as Yuri's money manager was handing payoffs to corrupt cops.
What looked like Malevski's sleazy lifestyle got him killed now points toward murder by cops in a fight over protection money. Dan takes the case, and begins investigating, which takes the reader into the gay community, which includes the hopeless and helpless and the people marginalized by the over culture and by their own problems. Woven through is a painfully grim subthread about a friend of Dan's who is dying of cancer, and hopes to find out where her missing son is.
At first the two threads seem unconnected, and for the most part they are, though I appreciated the way Round dovetailed them when the mystery began to rapidly unravel toward a surprising conclusion.
The book is not utterly grimdark, or I would not have made it through in spite of the vivid, stylish prose and the insightful examination of how anger and violence destroy individuals as well as families. Dan has good friends, and he appreciates them. He has a teenage son who cares about his dad--and Dan, in turn, likes both his son and the son's girlfriend. There are enough human moments to make this book a complicated minor key symphony rather than, oh, death metal hammering one with hopelessness.
I have not read any of the earlier works in the series, but it was easy to pick up. Round does a superlative job of orienting the reader in Dan's life, and further, demonstrates significant growth. This is no Hercule Poirot, who never changes. I'm planning to keep an eye out for the next in the series.
September 21, 2015
Dan Sharp is a mature private investigator call into a high profile case of murder that seems to have stalled. Yuri Malevski was a gay Macedonian man operating a popular gay country/western bar in Toronto. He had a gorgeous home which was often filled with hangers-on and assorted cast-offs of the gay scene, something his pious cleaning lady detested.
Yuri's accountant, Lionel, is afraid that the murderers may have been cops seeking kickbacks that Yuri recently declined paying. Lionel's husband, Charles is concerned that Lionel could become a target, as he knew where the money went, so Lionel and Charles contract Dan to discover if Lionel is in any danger.
The police are considering Yuri's ex-boyfriend, Santiago, a Cuban undocumented immigrant, the prime suspect but no one can find Santiago--only his new girlfriend.
Dan's not sure if there even is a case for him to investigate--and he doesn't want to get caught in the police work. Unfortunately, all his calls seem to unearth more questions. The quest through the gay scene is not pretty. Dan uncovers a whole lot of people that would probably rather not be found.
I found the storytelling to be intriguing. A wonderful mix of Dan's observations regarding...everything. He's a very observant man, about the people he meets, the places he goes, his own life. His introspection is interesting and fair. He doesn't judge, per se. He does collect information, no matter the weight or credibility of the source. I found his point of view to be informative without being overbearing. Dan's a recovering alcoholic, and a good part of his thoughts revolve around the possibility of a relapse if his son moves out to go to college, a likely scenario.
I'm not a HUGE mystery fan, but I found this to be a good example of the genre. Dan is a well-balanced narrator with a life that includes close friends and a son on the cusp of adulthood. His day-to-day is pretty routine, until things begin to heat up. He's attacked in the course of the investigation, and there's a giant problem with the primary suspect. I enjoyed the misdirection which left me guessing "Who's next?"
In the end, it's always the small issues that become telltale signs. I appreciated the slow build of clues leading to the actual murderer. It seems as though Dan's life is in the midst of a restart--and that will likely become part of future books if those are planned. I'd be interested to read more Dan Sharp books. Expect a little bit of sexytimes, but that's all side-dish compared to the sleuthing. I did like how Dan's life went on following the end of the case, allowing the reader to imagine Dan finding his next adventure.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for review.
Yuri's accountant, Lionel, is afraid that the murderers may have been cops seeking kickbacks that Yuri recently declined paying. Lionel's husband, Charles is concerned that Lionel could become a target, as he knew where the money went, so Lionel and Charles contract Dan to discover if Lionel is in any danger.
The police are considering Yuri's ex-boyfriend, Santiago, a Cuban undocumented immigrant, the prime suspect but no one can find Santiago--only his new girlfriend.
Dan's not sure if there even is a case for him to investigate--and he doesn't want to get caught in the police work. Unfortunately, all his calls seem to unearth more questions. The quest through the gay scene is not pretty. Dan uncovers a whole lot of people that would probably rather not be found.
I found the storytelling to be intriguing. A wonderful mix of Dan's observations regarding...everything. He's a very observant man, about the people he meets, the places he goes, his own life. His introspection is interesting and fair. He doesn't judge, per se. He does collect information, no matter the weight or credibility of the source. I found his point of view to be informative without being overbearing. Dan's a recovering alcoholic, and a good part of his thoughts revolve around the possibility of a relapse if his son moves out to go to college, a likely scenario.
I'm not a HUGE mystery fan, but I found this to be a good example of the genre. Dan is a well-balanced narrator with a life that includes close friends and a son on the cusp of adulthood. His day-to-day is pretty routine, until things begin to heat up. He's attacked in the course of the investigation, and there's a giant problem with the primary suspect. I enjoyed the misdirection which left me guessing "Who's next?"
In the end, it's always the small issues that become telltale signs. I appreciated the slow build of clues leading to the actual murderer. It seems as though Dan's life is in the midst of a restart--and that will likely become part of future books if those are planned. I'd be interested to read more Dan Sharp books. Expect a little bit of sexytimes, but that's all side-dish compared to the sleuthing. I did like how Dan's life went on following the end of the case, allowing the reader to imagine Dan finding his next adventure.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for review.
January 4, 2016
A fantastic read - the author kept me guessing (read - changing my mind every couple of pages) as to who the killer was. I appreciate how each subsequent book gives us deeper insight into what makes Dan Sharp tick - and boy does out hero have feet of clay (even he acknowledges them).
Dan has a very small but loyal support group of family and close friends - and they all make an appearance throughout the book; I was riveted by the subsidiary investigation Dan makes for one member of this select group and the tragic aftermath of this (sooo sad). As usual in each book, our hero get's some 'nookie' but romantic as it seems - nothing is what as appears on the surface. And this is what's so amazing about this series - this is book 4 and I should be wiser about the fact that 'nothing/nobody is what it seems on the surface' and yet I get sucker-punched not once but twice in this book - just did not see that coming! A four and half star read and I am really really looking forward to the next instalment of a series that seems to read better and better.
Dan has a very small but loyal support group of family and close friends - and they all make an appearance throughout the book; I was riveted by the subsidiary investigation Dan makes for one member of this select group and the tragic aftermath of this (sooo sad). As usual in each book, our hero get's some 'nookie' but romantic as it seems - nothing is what as appears on the surface. And this is what's so amazing about this series - this is book 4 and I should be wiser about the fact that 'nothing/nobody is what it seems on the surface' and yet I get sucker-punched not once but twice in this book - just did not see that coming! A four and half star read and I am really really looking forward to the next instalment of a series that seems to read better and better.
June 15, 2015
This was a guessing game all the way to the end!! The suspense was killing me, trying to figure out who was the killer on every other page of this book. Loved the story telling, the flow and especially the conclusion where we exactly found out whodunit. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to more of Dan Sharp in the future. If you are looking a suspenseful read with not a whole lot of sex then I highly recommend this book.
July 6, 2016
Another unexpected ending, that I really didn't see coming. Knowing the real life story and the setting at the heart of the novel personally adds a lot of interest to the story. I must admit that I read the second half of the book in one night, so quite the page turner. I've read the first and last in this series, so now I'll have to read the intervening two.
January 7, 2016
Dan Sharp was formerly a senior investigator for an insurance company, but then decided he was good at finding people, so he decides to become his own boss and starts a PI business focusing on just that. Dan is an interesting character: he deals with a type of PTSD and has had a few relationships that just fell apart. There are times you can almost feel that he’s giving up trying to find someone to love, but the one thing he does have is a wonderful, warm and caring relationship with his son, Kedrick. I loved the banter and heartwarming discussions between father and son, and you can see the child teaching the adult. Dan’s a great father; he worries about his son’s future and wants the best for him. But Kedrick is also worried about his father’s future and him being alone. Another interesting fact about Dan is his relationship with Kedrick’s mother, Kedra, who is Syrian. Dan also has a very supportive best friend in Donny. I liked Donny because he’s not above telling Dan which end is up, and he’s also a sounding board for Kedrick.
Donny introduces Dan to a couple who have concerns about Yuri Malevski’s murder. Dan’s willing to listen, but he would rather leave murder to the police. Blackmail, payoffs to the police, and drugs all take Dan on a rollercoaster ride. When he becomes involved and starts his investigation, he meets interesting people along the way, and he starts to look at Yuri Malevski’s reputation differently.
I was surprised by Jeffrey Round’s riveting mystery After the Horses. After doing some investigating of my own, I found that there were three previous books in the Dan Sharp Mystery series—Lake on the Mountain, The Jade Butterfly, and Pumpkin Eater—so I read those also, and I was not disappointed in the least. Besides penning a well written mystery, Mr. Round addresses all types of issues within the gay community, as well as immigration, and takes us on a journey throughout Canada. The author not only comes up with a suspenseful and intriguing plot but he gives us food for thought about issues we have all thought about at one time or another. I also got an education about Canada and it different ethnicities. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next Dan Sharp mystery.
Reviewed by MaryAnn for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Donny introduces Dan to a couple who have concerns about Yuri Malevski’s murder. Dan’s willing to listen, but he would rather leave murder to the police. Blackmail, payoffs to the police, and drugs all take Dan on a rollercoaster ride. When he becomes involved and starts his investigation, he meets interesting people along the way, and he starts to look at Yuri Malevski’s reputation differently.
I was surprised by Jeffrey Round’s riveting mystery After the Horses. After doing some investigating of my own, I found that there were three previous books in the Dan Sharp Mystery series—Lake on the Mountain, The Jade Butterfly, and Pumpkin Eater—so I read those also, and I was not disappointed in the least. Besides penning a well written mystery, Mr. Round addresses all types of issues within the gay community, as well as immigration, and takes us on a journey throughout Canada. The author not only comes up with a suspenseful and intriguing plot but he gives us food for thought about issues we have all thought about at one time or another. I also got an education about Canada and it different ethnicities. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next Dan Sharp mystery.
Reviewed by MaryAnn for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
August 21, 2015
After the horses. Jeffrey Round.
Not one for the pious. You're drawn into a world of drugs, sex (LGBT) and debauchery.
Yuri Malevski is the owner of a bar, he's extravagant and walks on the seedy wild side. One day he's found dead; one could assume that it's all to do with the lifestyle he leads, but when certain events come to light is all as it seems to initially appear? Dan (private investigator) is called in to investigate and he soon questions if he's bitten off more than he can chew when his finds his life being threatened... "...Finding missing people is sometimes like cornering wild animals. You can't predict what they'll do, or what they're capable of..."
I truly enjoyed this book, it is not my usual genre. I found it interesting and an easy flowing read with some worthy penmanship. What an unexpected twist at the end, I couldn't put it down until I knew. Thank you to publishers Dundurn and Author Jeffrey Round for the opportunity to read this book.
Not one for the pious. You're drawn into a world of drugs, sex (LGBT) and debauchery.
Yuri Malevski is the owner of a bar, he's extravagant and walks on the seedy wild side. One day he's found dead; one could assume that it's all to do with the lifestyle he leads, but when certain events come to light is all as it seems to initially appear? Dan (private investigator) is called in to investigate and he soon questions if he's bitten off more than he can chew when his finds his life being threatened... "...Finding missing people is sometimes like cornering wild animals. You can't predict what they'll do, or what they're capable of..."
I truly enjoyed this book, it is not my usual genre. I found it interesting and an easy flowing read with some worthy penmanship. What an unexpected twist at the end, I couldn't put it down until I knew. Thank you to publishers Dundurn and Author Jeffrey Round for the opportunity to read this book.
June 27, 2015
A solid well-written mystery with intriguing characters and a great sense of place.
March 1, 2023
After the Horses (Dan Sharp 4)
By Jeffrey Round
Published by Dundurn, 2015
Five stars
Mournful is the word that kept coming to me as I read this excellent, emotionally rich detective story. I’ve loved this entire series, which I’m savoring bit by bit. Dan Sharp is a character whom I admire, but with whom I’m not sure I could be friends. He’s overcome a crap childhood, raised a child he fathered by accident, maintains a great relationship with both his son and his son’s mother: what’s not to admire?
But Dan Sharp is a little sad. He’s forty and alone, and I’m the kind of gay man (old enough to be his father) who finds that sad. So does Dan, and the author keeps that motif running through all the books.
The murder that triggers the entire plot arc is also smartly constructed. Yuri Malevski is a mass of contradictions, and his death is as confusing as it is violent. I have to admire the way the author shows Yuri as both a hero and a rogue; civically generous, mindful of his status as a gay immigrant, while also indulgent of drug use and sexual practices that push the boundaries of acceptable. There are multiple threads related to immigrants and the injustice they face in Canada (really? I thought only we did that in the USA!). It’s an excellent technique to keep the reader emotionally confused. I don’t love being confused in the way I feel about a book and its characters; but I have to admire the writer who can make me feel that way.
What I like most about Dan Sharp is that he doesn’t really understand what a good man he is. It’s my belief that the best people always doubt their goodness, which is what drives them to really be better. Dan’s internal life is rewarding and beautifully drawn. He is not stupid or ruthless, but he’s not a genius or magically intuitive. He’s very believable as a character, and is clearly loved by the people who matter to him most.
I’m looking forward to book 5 in this series. Maybe Dan will be happier in that one.
By Jeffrey Round
Published by Dundurn, 2015
Five stars
Mournful is the word that kept coming to me as I read this excellent, emotionally rich detective story. I’ve loved this entire series, which I’m savoring bit by bit. Dan Sharp is a character whom I admire, but with whom I’m not sure I could be friends. He’s overcome a crap childhood, raised a child he fathered by accident, maintains a great relationship with both his son and his son’s mother: what’s not to admire?
But Dan Sharp is a little sad. He’s forty and alone, and I’m the kind of gay man (old enough to be his father) who finds that sad. So does Dan, and the author keeps that motif running through all the books.
The murder that triggers the entire plot arc is also smartly constructed. Yuri Malevski is a mass of contradictions, and his death is as confusing as it is violent. I have to admire the way the author shows Yuri as both a hero and a rogue; civically generous, mindful of his status as a gay immigrant, while also indulgent of drug use and sexual practices that push the boundaries of acceptable. There are multiple threads related to immigrants and the injustice they face in Canada (really? I thought only we did that in the USA!). It’s an excellent technique to keep the reader emotionally confused. I don’t love being confused in the way I feel about a book and its characters; but I have to admire the writer who can make me feel that way.
What I like most about Dan Sharp is that he doesn’t really understand what a good man he is. It’s my belief that the best people always doubt their goodness, which is what drives them to really be better. Dan’s internal life is rewarding and beautifully drawn. He is not stupid or ruthless, but he’s not a genius or magically intuitive. He’s very believable as a character, and is clearly loved by the people who matter to him most.
I’m looking forward to book 5 in this series. Maybe Dan will be happier in that one.
February 6, 2019
I judged a book by its cover. Shameful, I know. Boy, was I surprised when I started to read!! 100% not what I expected, but not in a bad way!
I loved this book from the get go. Dan Sharp is set up Toronto, Ontario, which I was not expecting! I knew all the locations mentioned, which was kind of fun for me. Some of the characters names got a little jumbled and hard to keep track of for me, since there are a few that are quite similar to one another, ie Danny and Donny, Lionel and Lonnie, but nothing a quick reread couldn’t fix. The sense of humour and sexual tension/awkwardness in some scenes had me laughing out loud, enough that I had to reread passages to people around me to explain.
I really appreciated how real and raw the author portrayed the discrimination of the LGBT community by some people with dated religious beliefs. Nothing was sugar coated there, and I respect that a lot!
As far as mysteries go, I was sucker punched by how wrong I was in the end! Definitely a jaw drop moment that I didn’t see coming. 4.5 star. I’ll be looking for the rest of this series for sure!
I loved this book from the get go. Dan Sharp is set up Toronto, Ontario, which I was not expecting! I knew all the locations mentioned, which was kind of fun for me. Some of the characters names got a little jumbled and hard to keep track of for me, since there are a few that are quite similar to one another, ie Danny and Donny, Lionel and Lonnie, but nothing a quick reread couldn’t fix. The sense of humour and sexual tension/awkwardness in some scenes had me laughing out loud, enough that I had to reread passages to people around me to explain.
I really appreciated how real and raw the author portrayed the discrimination of the LGBT community by some people with dated religious beliefs. Nothing was sugar coated there, and I respect that a lot!
As far as mysteries go, I was sucker punched by how wrong I was in the end! Definitely a jaw drop moment that I didn’t see coming. 4.5 star. I’ll be looking for the rest of this series for sure!
October 8, 2024
This older series found me at just the right time! Starting in the middle, Dan Sharp is an appealing gay detective and solver of mysteries.
There was an actual serial killer who was preying on isolated gay men in the gay village for real but this fictional novel was written before those arrests brought the horror to light. So, not at all 'far fetched' as a plot line, it would seem. I was needing a touch of big city 'home' - even the gritty parts, and this novel filled the bill nicely. Jeffrey Round anchors his stories in a nice bit of Ontario detail and the Toronto neighbourhood seem vaguely familiar even years after university for me at least.
Even with the grim story line and mounting death toll, this novel reads light on the sex and violence scale - in a good way.
Just a good, engrossing story. Nicely done.
There was an actual serial killer who was preying on isolated gay men in the gay village for real but this fictional novel was written before those arrests brought the horror to light. So, not at all 'far fetched' as a plot line, it would seem. I was needing a touch of big city 'home' - even the gritty parts, and this novel filled the bill nicely. Jeffrey Round anchors his stories in a nice bit of Ontario detail and the Toronto neighbourhood seem vaguely familiar even years after university for me at least.
Even with the grim story line and mounting death toll, this novel reads light on the sex and violence scale - in a good way.
Just a good, engrossing story. Nicely done.
December 15, 2020
This installment of the Dan Sharp Mysteries had the most focused and cleanest writing so far. The story was sharp (no pun intended) and clear. The sub-plots crisp and focused and did not detract from the development of the story and were an enhancement. These subplots were also well done and brought a three-dimensional quality to the character of Dan Sharp. I actually thought this would make a very good movie!
September 3, 2023
4.25 rating This was a good mystery. I thought I had it all figured out but was wrong in the end. Dan may end up with a boyfriend but it didn't happen till the end; so have to wait for next in the series.
September 11, 2017
A quite enjoyable whodunnit that kept me guessing until the end.
I haven't read previous books in this series but this one works pretty well as a standalone.
I haven't read previous books in this series but this one works pretty well as a standalone.
October 16, 2019
Another excellent book from Jeffrey Round, and his PI Dan Sharp. Although, I don't share Dan's opinion of Alfred Hitchcock.
January 23, 2020
Suspenseful, complex addition to a very good series...
February 4, 2020
Looking forward to the new one.
April 19, 2016
Excellent!
Another excellent story in this gritty and engaging mystery series!!
I received this ARC some time ago but when I realised that it was part of a series I decided to first read the three earlier books in the series and although it took a bit of time, I am really glad I did.
Jeffrey Round, the author, knows how to weave together a solid murder mystery which grips the reader right through to the very end. Dan Sharp, the private investigator in this series, is tough and determined, yet somehow vulnerable. He knows the streets of Toronto having lived on streets, as a young man. His childhood in the hands of a violent, alcoholic father, has left him a somewhat hardened and edgy adult.
At the same time he is caring and vulnerable especially towards his son, close friends, former lovers and the mother of his child. He knows what it is to live with darkness and the never ending need for light. So he does his best to hold onto that light and seek it out not just for himself but for missing people.
Dan is a PI and he is sometimes able to find that light for other people but sometimes it is too late and the darkness has swallowed them up. Dan also knows how to get to the bottom of the most perplexing mysteries even where the people are untouchable or just plain dangerous.
I am so glad I took the time to work my way through all the previous books in the series because now I am a committed fan. This author has two LAMDA nominations and I am not surprised because he knows how to rock a great mystery! There is more to the series than murder, there is also hope and love of family and friends.
Reading these books enabled Dan to grow on me as I followed his adventures, seeing his relationships with his son, his friends and his colleagues. This helps the reader understand Dan and the ups and downs of his emotional life and it adds a certain kind of richness to the stories.
But the best part for me is the way the story held my attention to the very end and the surprises. I can never guess the 'why' or the 'who' until the big reveal at the end and this ramps up both the tension and the pace.
And there is plenty of tension and pace in this story and some deeply emotional moments and I thoroughly enjoyed the way these aspects of the story are woven in. It is just really great storytelling.
This story sees Dan investigating the murder of a local gay night club owner. Yuri Malevski, owner of a some what seedy and notorious bar, is found dead in his mansion. Dan is reluctant to take the case. Malevski is both sinner and saint having helped the gay community struggle against AIDS but at the same time making money from his sleazy club, drugs and shady deals and Dan feels that the police should be left to get on with the investigation.
As Dan digs further he realises that there shady pay offs involving the police and this is where things become darker and more dangerous than Dan first envisaged. The darkness seems to reach out and touch Dan when he is attacked.
Of course the ending just wasn't what I thought it would be and this unknowable ending is what makes the story that much more edgy and deeply satisfying.
A great read for anyone who likes a good murder mystery.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Another excellent story in this gritty and engaging mystery series!!
I received this ARC some time ago but when I realised that it was part of a series I decided to first read the three earlier books in the series and although it took a bit of time, I am really glad I did.
Jeffrey Round, the author, knows how to weave together a solid murder mystery which grips the reader right through to the very end. Dan Sharp, the private investigator in this series, is tough and determined, yet somehow vulnerable. He knows the streets of Toronto having lived on streets, as a young man. His childhood in the hands of a violent, alcoholic father, has left him a somewhat hardened and edgy adult.
At the same time he is caring and vulnerable especially towards his son, close friends, former lovers and the mother of his child. He knows what it is to live with darkness and the never ending need for light. So he does his best to hold onto that light and seek it out not just for himself but for missing people.
Dan is a PI and he is sometimes able to find that light for other people but sometimes it is too late and the darkness has swallowed them up. Dan also knows how to get to the bottom of the most perplexing mysteries even where the people are untouchable or just plain dangerous.
I am so glad I took the time to work my way through all the previous books in the series because now I am a committed fan. This author has two LAMDA nominations and I am not surprised because he knows how to rock a great mystery! There is more to the series than murder, there is also hope and love of family and friends.
Reading these books enabled Dan to grow on me as I followed his adventures, seeing his relationships with his son, his friends and his colleagues. This helps the reader understand Dan and the ups and downs of his emotional life and it adds a certain kind of richness to the stories.
But the best part for me is the way the story held my attention to the very end and the surprises. I can never guess the 'why' or the 'who' until the big reveal at the end and this ramps up both the tension and the pace.
And there is plenty of tension and pace in this story and some deeply emotional moments and I thoroughly enjoyed the way these aspects of the story are woven in. It is just really great storytelling.
This story sees Dan investigating the murder of a local gay night club owner. Yuri Malevski, owner of a some what seedy and notorious bar, is found dead in his mansion. Dan is reluctant to take the case. Malevski is both sinner and saint having helped the gay community struggle against AIDS but at the same time making money from his sleazy club, drugs and shady deals and Dan feels that the police should be left to get on with the investigation.
As Dan digs further he realises that there shady pay offs involving the police and this is where things become darker and more dangerous than Dan first envisaged. The darkness seems to reach out and touch Dan when he is attacked.
Of course the ending just wasn't what I thought it would be and this unknowable ending is what makes the story that much more edgy and deeply satisfying.
A great read for anyone who likes a good murder mystery.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
November 6, 2015
This is the fourth novel in the series featuring Toronto private investigator Dan Sharp. In this book he is investigating the death of a prominent nightclub owner with alleged corrupt connections. Dan is hired by a lawyer to investigate the murder despite the ongoing criminal investigation. This adds a layer of complexity – Dan not only has to find the killer, he has to question the motivation of his client.
Dan, his client and the victim are all gay. The investigation takes Dan through Toronto’s different gay venues, quarters and cultures and his personal life becomes mixed up in the investigation. Many of the characters are also immigrants and so we see the city from their perspective. Dan is quite reflective on issues of social justice and the sometimes conflicting beliefs of minorities.
I have a couple of reservations about the book. Dan is an interesting character but he has a lot of views, on everything from traffic flow to the intergenerational housing crisis, and he sometimes expresses them at length when they don’t really add anything (you suspect these are the hobby horses of the author rather than the character).
I didn’t find the relationship between Dan and his teenage son convincing. Dan speaks to him like a school counsellor. There is no sense in their dialogue of the distance between what a person means, and what they say, when love or fear or just plain tiredness get in the way.
A potentially interesting subplot fizzled out rather quickly. And just as I was convinced that Dan was a sensitive and caring guy (albeit an opinionated one) he goes and checks his phone during a funeral!
Still, it’s very readable and engaging. I found some of the minor characters interesting and would have liked to know more about them. The story kept me guessing till the end. Okay, so a significant clue came from a minor character speaking in riddles, and the police were amazingly co-operative with Dan, but I’d say those are both permissible within the rules of the genre.
All in all, it’s an entertaining mystery with a strong contemporary setting.
*
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
Dan, his client and the victim are all gay. The investigation takes Dan through Toronto’s different gay venues, quarters and cultures and his personal life becomes mixed up in the investigation. Many of the characters are also immigrants and so we see the city from their perspective. Dan is quite reflective on issues of social justice and the sometimes conflicting beliefs of minorities.
I have a couple of reservations about the book. Dan is an interesting character but he has a lot of views, on everything from traffic flow to the intergenerational housing crisis, and he sometimes expresses them at length when they don’t really add anything (you suspect these are the hobby horses of the author rather than the character).
I didn’t find the relationship between Dan and his teenage son convincing. Dan speaks to him like a school counsellor. There is no sense in their dialogue of the distance between what a person means, and what they say, when love or fear or just plain tiredness get in the way.
A potentially interesting subplot fizzled out rather quickly. And just as I was convinced that Dan was a sensitive and caring guy (albeit an opinionated one) he goes and checks his phone during a funeral!
Still, it’s very readable and engaging. I found some of the minor characters interesting and would have liked to know more about them. The story kept me guessing till the end. Okay, so a significant clue came from a minor character speaking in riddles, and the police were amazingly co-operative with Dan, but I’d say those are both permissible within the rules of the genre.
All in all, it’s an entertaining mystery with a strong contemporary setting.
*
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
July 21, 2015
I do love a mystery and After the Horses is an excellent example. It is literally dripping with suspense and not a book you'll find easy to put down. If you didn't have to eat, sleep, work and do the necessary ablutions including the unmentionables, then you would obviously have a free rein to just savour.
The novel is set in the gay community and focuses on cops, lawyers and accountants all in a tightly woven net of corruption. There is also an offshoot for the lead character to deal with on a personal level. All this combines to create a plot that ticks all the right boxes with regards to required elements of a good book. There is also plenty of descriptive text about Toronto, where the novel is set, to really get you immersed in the life and world of Dan Sharp (Private Investigator.)
It would be easy to think, by reading the synopsis and reviews, that there must be too much going on in the one story. But Jeffrey Round has expertly constructed it to be manageable for his readers without losing the momentum. After the Horses is intended to be part of a series so there is plenty to look forward to; Dan Sharp may just be on the case again.
It's so easy to be too cliche and repetitive writing reviews; the same phrases and descriptive words tend to come up time and time again. I'm loathe to be that way with After the Horses. It's worth so much more than that.
The novel is set in the gay community and focuses on cops, lawyers and accountants all in a tightly woven net of corruption. There is also an offshoot for the lead character to deal with on a personal level. All this combines to create a plot that ticks all the right boxes with regards to required elements of a good book. There is also plenty of descriptive text about Toronto, where the novel is set, to really get you immersed in the life and world of Dan Sharp (Private Investigator.)
It would be easy to think, by reading the synopsis and reviews, that there must be too much going on in the one story. But Jeffrey Round has expertly constructed it to be manageable for his readers without losing the momentum. After the Horses is intended to be part of a series so there is plenty to look forward to; Dan Sharp may just be on the case again.
It's so easy to be too cliche and repetitive writing reviews; the same phrases and descriptive words tend to come up time and time again. I'm loathe to be that way with After the Horses. It's worth so much more than that.
November 25, 2015
The books are steadily getting shorter, this one the shortest yet. Also for a book set in 2011, the Ripley's Aquarium didn't open until 2013. Again with the dates, the previous books in the series set in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively, so why jump to 2011 in this one?
Loved the setting in Toronto and visiting most of the gay bars here, only skipping a couple. I get the impression the book is based on the club The Barn and I think the owner was murdered so some of it seems true, though the bar in question is not called The Barn in the book all the rest of the bars go by their real names. Actually I think except the Goth bar on Queen West too at the end. Is Goth capitalized?
I'm a little disjointed today. I've written a bunch but haven't said much. That happens a little in this book too, I think more should have happened. Dan Sharp has less ticks and is improving himself but it could be filled with a little more action. Not too much, and the book has great scenes, but overall that's my opinion. I liked the sex while on the phone, the running in the valley, the Parkdale mansion, the whole book was very vivid to me.
Probably the best ending and mystery in the series so far. Disappointed there isn't a preview of the next book at the end and a publication date. Keep them coming!
Loved the setting in Toronto and visiting most of the gay bars here, only skipping a couple. I get the impression the book is based on the club The Barn and I think the owner was murdered so some of it seems true, though the bar in question is not called The Barn in the book all the rest of the bars go by their real names. Actually I think except the Goth bar on Queen West too at the end. Is Goth capitalized?
I'm a little disjointed today. I've written a bunch but haven't said much. That happens a little in this book too, I think more should have happened. Dan Sharp has less ticks and is improving himself but it could be filled with a little more action. Not too much, and the book has great scenes, but overall that's my opinion. I liked the sex while on the phone, the running in the valley, the Parkdale mansion, the whole book was very vivid to me.
Probably the best ending and mystery in the series so far. Disappointed there isn't a preview of the next book at the end and a publication date. Keep them coming!
November 21, 2015
A Must Read and a Must Share:
I only recently discovered Jeffrey Round’s books and my first to read in the series was “After the Horses"…and boy was I pleased. Jeffrey Round has skills beyond measure and when it comes to spinning a tale with deft calculable ease, Mr. Round has to be one of the best in his genre. He is a master wordsmith and I found myself carried along, never wishing to put it down.
In a genre that is usually over dramatized, over romanticized and typically shallow, it is nice to see a professional author take on the task, and provide something new and different. If you enjoy suspenseful mysteries, his books are a must have for every library, and no one could be disappointed with this outing. He has clearly made a new fan in me. I found it to be a slow burn of incense that built to a satisfying conclusion. In his story “After the Horses”, Round successfully plumbed the depths of his characters and ultimately provided a truly intriguing tale.
Kudo’s to Mr. Round, for a great, enjoyable ride. I will look for more stories of Dan Sharp in days to come.
Permalink
I only recently discovered Jeffrey Round’s books and my first to read in the series was “After the Horses"…and boy was I pleased. Jeffrey Round has skills beyond measure and when it comes to spinning a tale with deft calculable ease, Mr. Round has to be one of the best in his genre. He is a master wordsmith and I found myself carried along, never wishing to put it down.
In a genre that is usually over dramatized, over romanticized and typically shallow, it is nice to see a professional author take on the task, and provide something new and different. If you enjoy suspenseful mysteries, his books are a must have for every library, and no one could be disappointed with this outing. He has clearly made a new fan in me. I found it to be a slow burn of incense that built to a satisfying conclusion. In his story “After the Horses”, Round successfully plumbed the depths of his characters and ultimately provided a truly intriguing tale.
Kudo’s to Mr. Round, for a great, enjoyable ride. I will look for more stories of Dan Sharp in days to come.
Permalink
April 21, 2016
The three star rating reflects this books appeal to me as a reader, but after some thought I realize this murder mystery is probably a very good read for a young gay reader...kind of like the Nancy Drew mysteries appealed to me in 4th grade. The plot is interesting, the main characters are good people in spite of some flaws. It puts forward a normal view of most gay people, who are after all people first and sexual beings second. Minimal amount of violence and sex with a lot of emphasis on people's life, make it a good pre-teen novel
November 21, 2020
Dan continues to grow in his slightly dysfunctional life. He still battles his demons, still handles teenage child angst well and badly, does seem to want to improve his dating success.
And he still solves crimes.
This one was good, enjoyed the chasing down of the likely culprits - was definitely leaning the wrong way as the author intended.
And he still solves crimes.
This one was good, enjoyed the chasing down of the likely culprits - was definitely leaning the wrong way as the author intended.
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